Maskaev vs Arreola?

By Matt Richardson

Promoters Dan Goosen and Dennis Rappaport have conducted preliminary talks regarding a heavyweight clash between rising contender Chris Arreola and former WBC champion Oleg Maskaev, Fightnews has learned. The two veteran promoters along with Maskaev manager Fred Kesch were seen discussing the fight at the press conference to announce the super middleweight tournament on Monday afternoon at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Goosen, the promoter of Arreola, was in attendance to represent Andre Ward who couldn’t make it due to the flu. Neither Rappaport or Kesch would either confirm or deny that negotiations had begun for the Arreola clash, only opting to say that Arreola was one of a few potential options being explored. It should be an easy fight to make considering both heavyweight champions Vitali Klitschko and Wladimir Klitschko are likely to be tied up with defenses in the fall against David Haye and Alexander Povetkin, respectively. Arreola (27-0, 24 KOs) is coming off an impressive knockout of Jameel McCline in April. Maskaev (36-6, 27 KOs), who had his hopes dashed of securing a title fight against Vitali Klitschko last month when arbitrator ruled against him, has won two fights since losing his belt to Samuel Peter in March of 2008.